Do you have a name for your bike?

I’ve been thinking lately about whether or not my bikes should have names. Most riders have very close relationships with their bikes. Often times, spouses, boyfriends or girlfriends will inquire, “Who do you love more… Me or your bike?”

That question is often met with stammering or silence by the committed rider.

So I’ve been mulling whether to name my two primary bikes: my trusty 2002 LeMond Wayzata that I use for commuting, and my 2000 LeMond custom titanium that I ride on weekends.

I didn’t go down to the office today, but took out my commuter on the salted roads for a 50 mile jaunt from home to Great Lakes Naval Training Center in North Chicago and back. I had plenty of time to think about a possible name for my bike. But along the way, I had a revelation…

I can’t name my bike because my bike is part of me when I’m on it. At least, that’s how I feel about it.

Today being the last day of the year, I added up the miles I put on the Wayzata this year: 4,820. That means I’ve ridden more than 25,000 miles on that bike since I bought it from Higher Gear in Highland Park back in 2002. And when I’m riding, it becomes simply an extension of my own body. I feel the same way about my weekend bike.

And I realized that’s why I have never named my bikes.

I know others have names for their bikes. So if you’re one of those folks:

Why did you decide to give your bike a name?

What did you name it?

What is the significance of the chosen moniker?

Thanks for reading my first post to the new blog. I hope to be adding additional writers from my many commuting friends in the coming weeks and months.

See ya’ on the road, and if you’re driving, for god’s sake don’t text and drive.

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2 responses to this post.

I’ve never named any of my bikes, and for the same reason you haven’t. They’re an extension of my body ( at least when I ride one ). They’re not very different from my shoes, which allow me to walk across sharp or rocky surfaces, and I think of my shoes as basically parts of my feet. The way a person moves with the bike, both of them rocking side to side climbing a long, steep hill when the ride stands up on the peddles, or leans sharply to one side while turning; the bike and rider are one and the same.

Indeed. My commuter bike, particularly the drive train, has taken a beating this winter due to my riding in snow, slush and road salt. I’m waiting on parts at the moment and I’ve been forced to ride in the big cog on the front at all times. Makes for a great work-out, especially against a strong wind.

That said, I bought the bike new in 2002 and it came outfitted with middle-of-the-road Shimano Tiagra components. The fact that I am just now getting around to replacing the front triple after 25,000 miles of wear-and-tear is a testament to the quality of those parts. If one is not concerned about component weight — and I’m certainly not, particularly on my commuter — this low-priced gear is quite a bargain.

Thanks for commenting! It reminds me that I need to put up a few more posts…